Deitch: More than top pick worth watching in NBA draft

It has been a while since an NBA Draft offered this much promise. There's a lot of talent -- enough that you could see someone taken after the Top 5 picks emerge as a star.

It's doubtful that guy would fall to No. 15, but that's where the 76ers stand. So, without further ado ...

1. New Orleans Hornets: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky. If I had to wager, I'd say he won't be the best pro from this draft.

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2. Charlotte Bobcats: Brad Beal, SG, Florida. Cleveland and Washington allegedly are jockeying for position here. Think there are five guys on this board who will be better NBA players.

3. Washington Wizards: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas. The Wizards should hope they lose the Beal battle, because Robinson makes them a playoff team next year.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky. Played with such poise and lack of ego for the Wildcats as a freshman. Loves to defend, which is tough to teach.

5. Sacramento Kings: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina. Incredible physical tools, yet not great on the defensive glass or distributing. Might not be the best UNC pro.

6. Portland Trail Blazers: Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut. Easily could see Portland moving down, and there are plenty of teams that would like to take a shot at scooping up Drummond here. Has the potential to be the best player in the draft.

7. Golden State Warriors: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois. Warriors could go shopping down, but if they make the pick it's tough to see this soft team not trying to add a center with an edge to him.

8. Toronto Raptors: Damien Lillard, PG, Weber State. The Raptors wouldn't mind moving Jose Calderon, and if Lillard falls to them it opens up that option.

9. Detroit Pistons: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke. Comment: A coach's son who knows how to use the pick-and-roll. Think Joe Dumars would pass on that?

10. New Orleans Hornets: Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut. Hornets get a nice outside-inside combo out of this draft.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: John Henson, PF, North Carolina. Very similar player to Davis, and could be a better pro than the No. 1 pick.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina. Expect some teams in the 13-20 range to start sweating as the big men go a little earlier than perhaps expected.

13. Phoenix Suns: Dion Walters, Syracuse, SG. I have him falling, since nearly every Syracuse guy turns out to be a disappointment.

14. Houston Rockets: Perry Jones, PF, Baylor. The Rockets own three of the next five picks. No way they will be using all three. In fact, they might not use any of them.

15. 76ERS: Terrence Jones, PF, Kentucky. Rod Thorn insists the Sixers are going to stay put or perhaps slide down. We'll see, but Jones was selfless playing second-fiddle to Davis and has an underrated nose for blocking shots.

16. Houston Rockets: Terrence Ross, SF, Washington. He's a spot-up shooter with size, so the Sixers could consider him. Doubtful he'd last much longer than here.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Arnett Moultrie, PF/C, Mississippi State. Dallas could use someone to do what Tyson Chandler did for them two years ago, and Moultrie has that skill set.

18. Houston Rockets: Evan Fournier, SG, France. Someone would be smart to snatch the best international player in the draft right about here.

19. Orlando Magic: Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky. The Magic desperately need a point guard to succeed Jameer Nelson, and this is a mature 19-year-old.

20. Denver Nuggets: Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure. Denver's smart front office should figure out that the Atlantic 10 has offered a lot of draft bargains over the years.

21. Boston Celtics: Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's. Best player on the board for a Boston team that needs to replenish everywhere.

22. Boston Celtics: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse. Will Kevin Garnett be around to mentor this dude?

23. Atlanta Hawks: Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina. Would Dukie Danny Ferry take a Tar Heel in his first move in charge? We'll see.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State. Not sure the Cavs will have this pick, but if they do, why not go for the local guy who has dropped?